No sign Eden Project Morecambe funding will be cut

Eden Project Morecambe will feature large shell-shaped pavilions overlooking Morecambe Bay

There is "nothing to indicate" the government will scale back its funding for the Eden Project in Morecambe, one of its directors has said.

The previous Conservative government had promised £50m for the scheme, but Sir Keir Starmer has said there is a "black hole" in the public finances.

However, the project's director of transformation, Si Bellamy, has said he remains confident the Labour government will support the attraction.

Lancaster City Council said there’s “no suggestion” the new government will withdraw any of the promised funding, and they expect ministers to approve the development next month.

Si Bellamy said the attraction "has always enjoyed really good cross-party support"

Mr Bellamy told BBC Radio Lancashire the attraction "has always enjoyed really good cross-party support" and "the conversations we've had with new local MP, Lizzi Collinge, have been incredibly positive".

He said: "Rachel Reeves has also given an indication of her support for the project during the election campaign, so it's been nothing but positive from our perspective."

Mr Bellamy said a final business plan had been submitted at the end of August and there is "nothing to indicate" funding will be cut.

"We think it's a really compelling case for the transformation of the site, in terms of jobs and growth," he said.

"It's a competitive environment, and there are tough challenges economically, but we believe that we've presented the strongest possible case to government."

Eden Project Morecambe - a sister site to the original Eden Project in Cornwall - is described as a "global garden" and will feature large shell-shaped pavilions overlooking Morecambe Bay.

An initial instalment of £2.5m in government money has already been received and the design teams have begun work.

The project is expected to open in 2027 or 2028.